28 OCTOBER will see a major election test for the three parties after their recent conferences.
Pundits will be itching to 'interpret' votes for Labour witch-hunter John Spellars in Birmingham Northfield, and moderate left Socialist Challenge 22 October 1982 page 2 winger Harriet Harman, legal adviser to the National Council for Civil Liberties, in Peckham.
Of course they'll attack the left whatever happens. If the both do well it will be down to 'Michael Foot's firm leadership'. If they do badly it will be Militant's fault. And of course if Spellars does better than Harman, the Sun will go out of what passes for its mind But in reality Labour's vote will depend, not on whether or VOTeES by national events that the ment promises, and whether the false glow of competence and resolve surrounding Thatcher dissipated.
chance of Labour victory healthworkers marching through Peckham this The recent modest recovery snowing dates from the start of the health strike which made the first dent the Tories self-confidence and work millions of people up to what privatisation means in terms of human need The Labour Left is de nounced by the media and its leaders because it provides a focus for such extra-parliamentary action parucularly around By defending itself against the leadership's the left will defend the very methods and policies that offer the best chance of a But something more needs to be said. If either andidate loses, it will be either wins it will be a vic tory. Any defeat will b scen as a vindication Thatcher's Maggie heartless treatment of the and will BENDEACO drive Labour's right wing into even more frantic attempts to throw out hard. won policy gains.
That is why Socialist porters to Join in and work Challenge urges its both constituencies: to put the case for a vigorous defence of socialist policies, to persuade other activists to build for Labour victory by backin the days of action, and to take the next step in turning the tide against Thatcher.